1. Describe the stasis in the play: where, when, who, what, etc. in a paragraph.
The play opens with the playwright beginning to tell the story of her life. The story begins with her childhood and with her meeting her boyfriend for the first time.
2. What is the intrusion?
The intrusion begins when Brenda attends high school. She is sent to the gifted portion of the school, while her boyfriend, Kali, is separated from her into the portion of the school with the typically slower students. In this moment, Brenda is separated from the people she is used to being around, and she is put into contact with new people.
3. What is the unique factor?
This is the day that the narrator tells the story of her past and how sh became involved with the people she has formed relationships with.
4. What is the dramatic question that should be answered by the end of the play?
Will Brenda become more like the people she is in contact with every day at school, or will she stay true to her roots? Will Kali stay with her if she changes?
5. Provide an illustration of the two kinds of exposition that the play has in it.
The first exposition seen in the play is the information the narrator gives before she really begins the story. The second exposition seen is what the narrator reveals throughout her story.
6. Identify the most theatrical moment in the play and of what importance it seems to be.
The most theatrical moment in the play occurs in the end. The shootout is very dramatic and ultimately results in the death of Kali. This scene shows the final time Kali was betrayed by someone who he once thought was like family.
7. List some of the themes of the play.
Themes of change, maturing, and betrayal are all seen in the play. Themes of change and maturing are explored in Brenda's life, and the theme of betrayal is explored through Kali and his relationship with his gang members.
8. What do the narrator want and what are some obstacles that stand in the way of her getting what she wants?
One thing that Brenda struggles with throughout the play is that she wants to be part of her new friend's world, but she also wants to be a part of the Westside world. She wants to have the best of both worlds, but she struggles to find a balance.
9. Describe some possible images in the play and how does the title help us understand the play.
Kali's mom's flowers represent the Westside and his roots. Kali refers to those flowers as his "source," meaning that he finds identity in those flowers. He says without his source, he cannot be himself. The title, The Queen's Garden, alludes to both the royal descent of Kali's family and the flowers that his mom planted. The title therefore represents Kali's background and his home in the Westside. It therefore also relates to Brenda's identity because, as Kali explains, he is Brenda's "source."
10. Briefly define the family relationships that are examined in the play.
The idea of family within a gang is challenged in this piece. Kali thought of his gang as his brothers, but they abandoned him when he needed them the most. He is destroyed when he realizes that his "brothers" aren't who he romanticized them to be, and he experiences the ultimate betrayal when Dreamer kills him.
The play opens with the playwright beginning to tell the story of her life. The story begins with her childhood and with her meeting her boyfriend for the first time.
2. What is the intrusion?
The intrusion begins when Brenda attends high school. She is sent to the gifted portion of the school, while her boyfriend, Kali, is separated from her into the portion of the school with the typically slower students. In this moment, Brenda is separated from the people she is used to being around, and she is put into contact with new people.
3. What is the unique factor?
This is the day that the narrator tells the story of her past and how sh became involved with the people she has formed relationships with.
4. What is the dramatic question that should be answered by the end of the play?
Will Brenda become more like the people she is in contact with every day at school, or will she stay true to her roots? Will Kali stay with her if she changes?
5. Provide an illustration of the two kinds of exposition that the play has in it.
The first exposition seen in the play is the information the narrator gives before she really begins the story. The second exposition seen is what the narrator reveals throughout her story.
6. Identify the most theatrical moment in the play and of what importance it seems to be.
The most theatrical moment in the play occurs in the end. The shootout is very dramatic and ultimately results in the death of Kali. This scene shows the final time Kali was betrayed by someone who he once thought was like family.
7. List some of the themes of the play.
Themes of change, maturing, and betrayal are all seen in the play. Themes of change and maturing are explored in Brenda's life, and the theme of betrayal is explored through Kali and his relationship with his gang members.
8. What do the narrator want and what are some obstacles that stand in the way of her getting what she wants?
One thing that Brenda struggles with throughout the play is that she wants to be part of her new friend's world, but she also wants to be a part of the Westside world. She wants to have the best of both worlds, but she struggles to find a balance.
9. Describe some possible images in the play and how does the title help us understand the play.
Kali's mom's flowers represent the Westside and his roots. Kali refers to those flowers as his "source," meaning that he finds identity in those flowers. He says without his source, he cannot be himself. The title, The Queen's Garden, alludes to both the royal descent of Kali's family and the flowers that his mom planted. The title therefore represents Kali's background and his home in the Westside. It therefore also relates to Brenda's identity because, as Kali explains, he is Brenda's "source."
10. Briefly define the family relationships that are examined in the play.
The idea of family within a gang is challenged in this piece. Kali thought of his gang as his brothers, but they abandoned him when he needed them the most. He is destroyed when he realizes that his "brothers" aren't who he romanticized them to be, and he experiences the ultimate betrayal when Dreamer kills him.